April is Autism Acceptance Month – a time for us all to build up inclusive communities while breaking down negative stereotypes around Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. were diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Despite its prevalence, autism affects every person differently throughout their life. Often presenting in early childhood, individuals with ASD can struggle with communication, sensory and social interactions, and handling changes to routines and transitions between activities. Kids with ASD are often good visual learners with strong special interests and passions. Encouraging them to lean into those interests is an excellent way for parents and educators to help meet children where they are and provides opportunities for kids to connect with peers.
For families and individuals impacted by ASD, early intervention is key. Screening and diagnosis, learning to manage a child’s symptoms and how to use appropriate coping techniques, as well as connecting to necessary support resources and employment opportunities in adulthood can help people with ASD live full lives. Likewise, by increasing education around ASD for young children, and exposing them to characters with autism through media like Hero Elementary and Sesame Street, we can help positively change their understanding and views about autism.
This April, support and celebrate the uniqueness of every child, including those on the autism spectrum! Explore the resources below for strategies to support children with autism who have special interests, tools from local and national organizations to encourage children’s healthy development, and more.
Jump to article sections:
Tools for Inclusion & Support
How to Support Children With Autism Who Have Special Interests
Grades PreK-3
Children with autism spectrum disorder often have strong special interests and passions. Here’s how families can use these interests to support learning and development!
How PBS KIDS Shows Benefit My Son With Autism
Grades PreK-3
All many families with a child on the spectrum want is for others to accept their children as they are! Learn how characters like Julia from Sesame Street can help.
Helping Children With Autism Get the Most Out of Digital Media
Grades PreK-3
Did you know media use can help children with ASD connect with other kids and build their everyday skills? Here are some ideas about media that can specifically support children with ASD.
What It Is like to Be Autistic | Move to Include
Grades 3-12
Tyler was diagnosed with autism at 22 months old when his language abilities regressed. Today, Tyler speaks publicly as an autism awareness advocate and says his biggest successes include graduating college, getting a full-time job and serving as a board member for the Autism Society of Iowa.
How Can the Social Model of Disability Change How Society Views Autism? | Above the Noise
Grades 6-12
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. So, it’s no surprise that everyone’s brain develops in a unique way. Unfortunately, neurodivergent people, including those with autism spectrum disorder, have historically been viewed through the lens of the medical model. In this view, autism is something that needs to be fixed or cured. The social model of disability turns this around. It focuses more on how society can adapt to fit the needs of the person. In this episode Myles talks to people with autism and explores what acceptance of neurodiversity could look like.
Activities & Classroom-Ready Resources
We Are All Amazing! | Sesame Street in Communities
Grades PreK-K
We all are amazing, each in our own way! Celebrate the uniqueness of every student, including those on the autism spectrum, with Sesame Street’s “The Amazing Song”!
Rhyming Words and Spelling Patterns | English Language Arts Strategies for Students with Cognitive Disabilities
Grades 3-5
Are your students learning about rhymes? Get inspired by this elementary teacher who uses an activity called “Rounding Up the Rhymes” to build on literacy skills!
Home and Family Strategies for Children with Autism | Move to Include
Grades 3-12
Brandon, who was diagnosed with autism at age four, loves math and Super Mario! Here, his family and teachers share some of the strategies they use to support his development at home and in the classroom.
National & Local Organizations
Autism Resource Collection | Sesame Street in Communities
Grades PreK-K
All children experience the world differently, and those differences are even greater for autistic children. As a parent or caregiver of a child with autism (or as someone who knows a person with autism), your understanding and support can help ease daily challenges while celebrating the uniqueness of all children. Sesame Street in Communities provides parents, caregivers, and family childcare providers with support to help lay the foundations for children’s healthy development. The Autism Resource Collection includes printables, videos, and more on topics important to you and your child related to autism.
Autism Intervention Programs | SUNY Plattsburgh
Grades PreK-10
The Autism Intervention Program is best known for its signature program, the Nexus Program. The Nexus Program is a social skills training program that teaches and reinforces social skills in children. The program is designed for children with significant social needs characteristic of those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The specific goals of the Nexus Program are to provide an environment for children to socialize, to foster participant’s relationships with other children in the program, and to develop social skills that will allow participants to more fully participate in home, school, and community settings.
Autism Society of America
All Ages
The Autism Society of America strives to empower individuals with Autism and their families to make informed decisions in the planning and delivery of individualized, evidence-based services and support. They connect people to the resources they need through education, advocacy, support, information and referral, and community programming.
The Autism Project
All Ages
The Autism Project is a unique collaboration of parents, professionals and community members working to support individuals with ASD, other developmental disabilities, and communication, social-emotional, and regulation challenges. The Autism Project provides quality support, training, and programming that is accessible to all for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families, and those who work with them.
Organization for Autism Research
All Ages
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is dedicated to improving the lives of everyone impacted by autism by supporting research that produces meaningful and practical results. OAR keeps autistic individuals, families, educators, and professionals informed by offering free, evidence-based resources and information.